ROUND 10 PREVIEW: Vixens v Thunderbirds

Caitlin Thwaites, Jo Weston, Lizzy Watson and KD reunited with the rest of the group early this week, with the Diamonds hoping to put the heartbreaking loss to traditional rivals New Zealand in the gold medal match behind them.

Although a tough defeat, claiming silver in the one goal loss, Thwaites highlights the experience was still unforgettable.

“It was pretty incredible to ibe at my second World Champs, with the first one in Sydney four years ago,” said Thwaites.

“I guess the comparison between a home World Cup and an away one was that the small differences like not having the crowd with you [laughs]. Overall, we had a really amazing time and it was just a great experience with a great bunch of people.

“I think everybody is pretty heartbroken. For us, we’ve got the expectation that we’re going to win…that’s what we put on ourselves. We know that a lot of external people also have those expectations of us, so it’s really hard to not have lived up to our own expectations around winning.

“But New Zealand did an absolutely incredible job. They’ve had a tremendous story over the last 12 months and were so deserving. Hats off to them, because they played a really amazing tournament.”

The Vixens will now regroup and look ahead to this weekend’s game against the Adelaide Thunderbirds. The last time the two teams met, the Vixens were consistent across all four quarters, winning 58-42 and both goalers in Philip and Thwaites contributing 29 goals each.

“We’ve just integrated back into the Vixens, and we’re so excited to be back.

“It’s a very individualised process, so for the next couple of days we’ll return back to training and ensure we back up each other and monitor how each individual is feeling.”

“The league has an allowance for an extra two players to be at the games for the next couple of weeks, so that’s a great thing to be able to have - a bolstered squad.

“So, if there are any players who are slightly fatigued, we’ve actually got the capacity to have those extra players on the bench and utilise them for the next couple of rounds.”

The Vixens will face the Adelaide Thunderbirds on Sunday 28 July at 3.30pm at Melbourne Arena, in the second game of the afternoon following the Collingwood Magpies and GIANTS Netball match. Being a double header, Vixens fans can buy one ticket for two games at Ticketek.

This weekend will be more than just an ordinary game. With Renae Ingles' son, Jacob being diagnosed with autism earlier this year, the Vixens are raising awareness and funds for autism and the 4ASD Kids Charity, assisting the families and children that need our support. We are encouraging everyone to wear different colours of the spectrum to the game and get involved in the activities before the game.